Rlys gear up to tackle Holi rush

In a bid to handle holi rush, the northern railways have drawn a special passenger movement and security plan for the important railway stations in the city.

The foreign-made hi-tech CCTV cameras, which were to be installed after Holi, are now being installed weeks in advance to keep an eagle eye on the swelling crowds during the festive season. During the holi week, the footfall at railway stations doubles.

Railway officials have procured around 500 CCTV analytical capability cameras from a Hong Kong-based firm that will not only give security officials a complete view of the railway station but will keep sending feedbacks about suspicious movements and unclaimed baggage.

The cameras have been purchased at a cost of R70,000 each, putting the total bill at Rs 3.5 crore.

More than 100 cameras are being installed at the New Delhi railway station. Another 80 cameras will be placed at Hazrat Nizamuddin and more than 100 at the Old Delhi railway station.

The railways will run also run 10 special trains to handle the huge crowds between March 2 and March 8. The Railway Police Force and the civil defence volunteers will also be deployed at railway stations to man the crowds and avoid any stampede-like situation.

“We have set the platform numbers of the trains coming from Bihar. Anand Vihar and Sarai rohilla railway stations have been earmarked to run Holi special east-bound trains,” said Ashwani Lohani, divisional railway manager (Delhi), northern railways.